HUMA 4750 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Niddah, Misnagdim, Tzadik
13 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Numerous hasidic groups which originated in eastern europe. Hasidim arose in response to events at the time. Hasidism follow the vies of the rabbi who is the head of their particular hasidic group. Biale believes that the hasidim practiced ascetism (including celibacy) He maintains a negative view of hasidism. The men went to the tzaddik"s court and therefore, destroyed their families relationships. Many jews attracted to ascetism as a way to perfect themselves. Example: curb sexual desire by spending time with the tzaddik. Based on stories brought in biale"s book, we are able to see that men sought out physical temptation. "any sexual desire, including that toward one"s wife, exists only as an instrument for uniting with g-d" Because of the previous point, during intercourse, one should focus on the spiritual, rather than the physical. The idea came up of becoming celibate once procreation was achieved.
